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John Kost

1956 – 2021

John D. Kost, age 65, passed away on December 19th, 2021. Preceded in death by father, Harold Kost, mother, Martena Kost, and brother, Drew Kost. Survived by Glen Thompson; nephew, Phillip (Alisha) Kost of Lancaster, and many wonderful friends. John grew up in Upper Arlington Ohio, graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1974, and then attended the Ohio State University. After college, John tried his hand in finance first working at Merrill Lynch and the Ohio Company. John eventually found his way to real estate by working with Ed Kizer. This was an ideal fit for his personality and temperament. Real estate allowed John to combine his love of architecture with his love of people. John joined RE/MAX in 1990, was inducted into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame in 1999, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, was a member of the RE/MAX $25 Million Club and the International Platinum Club. He was also a Certified Residential Specialist and a Certified Distressed Property Expert. Aside from this love of real estate was John’s love of cars. John was a member of the Lambda Car Club, the Lincoln Car Club, the Cadillac Car Club, the Pontiac Car Club, the Toronado Car Club and the AACA. John’s early interest in American luxury cars eventually grew to include German and Japanese brands. John’s collection eventually expanded to 12 such vehicles. As much as John was interested in real estate and cars, his real love was just people. He was warm and gregarious, loved telling stories, and laughing heartily. And if you were lucky enough to spend much time with him, you couldn’t help but enjoy yourself too, as his personality was infectious. As John would often say – “My late Father, Harold, used to say, ‘You never know when you’re making a memory.’ He was right.” John made lots of memories with all those who knew and loved him.

John, playing “Misty” on his grand piano.

Thank you John, for making so many wonderful memories with everyone you knew!

Celebration of Life Visitation
2-5 PM Sunday, March 27
Schoedinger Northwest Chapel
1740 Zollinger Road
Upper Arlington, OH 43221

Add to Your Calendar

Celebration Service
11 AM Monday, March 28
Schoedinger Northwest Chapel
1740 Zollinger Road
Upper Arlington, OH 43221

Add to Your Calendar

In lieu of flowers, please donate in John’s memory to the
Upper Arlington Education Foundation.
To share memories or condolences,
please visit www.schoedinger.com.

"You never know when you're making a memory!"

John Kost

"You never know when you're making a memory!"

Harold Kost

“We met John 30 years ago which started a decade’s long friendship. In the last few years, we started our version of a Sunday night dinner. On many a Sunday, we would meet up to discuss cars, politics, current events, home projects but almost always real estate. Inevitably, the hours would fly by and we’d need to leave the restaurant, where we would often spend another 20 minutes in the parking lot going over one more story. These dinners were a great way to better get to know both John and Glen.
If you ever received John’s Christmas Newsletter, you’ll know he always ended them the same way with a quote from his father: “My late Father, Harold, used to say, ‘You never know when you’re making a memory.’ He was right.” So glad we got to create so many memories together.
We’ll miss you buddy.”

John & Dennis

“John was such a wonderful man. I am so sad that he has passed. We belonged to the same car club and shared a passion for cars and also real estate. He was so much fun and always had many great stories to tell, be it about cars, his childhood years, some interesting home he was representing etc. – it didn’t matter you just couldn’t help but get taken in by his warm and fun personality. I remember a dinner we had this past fall in Saugatuck MI with John, Glen and my friend Jim and a few others – the entire evening he had us laughing and on the ride back to the hotel in his car I can’t even remember what we were talking about but he had Jim and I laughing so much we were in tears. It really made the trip for us – and that is how John was – you always felt welcome, knew you were in for a fun time and that there would be plenty of laughs. I will forever be thankful for his friendship and the memories I have of him and our times together.”

Mark W. Smith

“I am incredibly saddened by John’s passing. I knew him initially through the car club that others who’ve posted referenced, and going to events with the club were always made more jovial by John’s presence. He always had the absolute BEST jokes to tell, along with some phenomenal stories. He also had an amazing knack for learning about and remembering details of his friends and acquaintances – for example, he remembered how much my former partner & I love MCM homes and whenever one came on the market in UA, he let us know about it and even gave us advanced showings. I always LOVED running into John at local car events because I knew I’d walk away from the conversation with a grin on my face and a handful of new jokes to tell. Keeping Glenn and all who loved John close in my heart at this difficult time.“

Jim Wagner

“John’s kindness, generous spirit and thorough knowledge of homes & classic cars was epic.
He was a real friend, always happy to help.”

Elizabeth Putnam

“It is with a sad and broken heart that I learn of Jon’s passing. I haven’t known a better humanitarian, one with such a warm heart and a wit to cheer everyone. I’ll miss you my Friend. My heart also goes out to Glenn and the rest of his Family.”

Pete Kengeter

“John was one of the most positive people I know. He and I spent many hours looking for a house after I needed to sell mine. He was a wealth of information, not to mention making house hunting fun. Every trip was in a different classic car and I enjoyed every minute. He will be missed by many.”

Marty Marlatt 

“John had great stories… He would start a story and then would just laugh and laugh. Often, John couldn’t finish his story. Those around my dining room table would laugh along with him. He was always a star at my dinners. John was busy keeping all of us entertained. I loved that about him… I will miss him. Rest easy, John. Until we meet again…”

Diane Kroll

“You were one of a kind John. A great advisor, a real gentleman, a consummate professional, and a true Renaissance man! Rest in peace.”

Peter Nichols

John Kost

1956 – 2021

About John

John D. Kost, age 65, passed away on December 19th, 2021. Preceded in death by father, Harold Kost, mother, Martena Kost, and brother, Drew Kost. Survived by Glen Thompson; nephew, Phillip (Alisha) Kost of Lancaster, and many wonderful friends. John grew up in Upper Arlington Ohio, graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1974, and then attended the Ohio State University. After college, John tried his hand in finance first working at Merrill Lynch and the Ohio Company. John eventually found his way to real estate by working with Ed Kizer. This was an ideal fit for his personality and temperament. Real estate allowed John to combine his love of architecture with his love of people. John joined RE/MAX in 1990, was inducted into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame in 1999, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, was a member of the RE/MAX $25 Million Club and the International Platinum Club. He was also a Certified Residential Specialist and a Certified Distressed Property Expert. Aside from this love of real estate was John’s love of cars. John was a member of the Lambda Car Club, the Lincoln Car Club, the Cadillac Car Club, the Pontiac Car Club, the Toronado Car Club and the AACA. John’s early interest in American luxury cars eventually grew to include German and Japanese brands. John’s collection eventually expanded to 12 such vehicles. As much as John was interested in real estate and cars, his real love was just people. He was warm and gregarious, loved telling stories, and laughing heartily. And if you were lucky enough to spend much time with him, you couldn’t help but enjoy yourself too, as his personality was infectious. As John would often say – “My late Father, Harold, used to say, ‘You never know when you’re making a memory.’ He was right.” John made lots of memories with all those who knew and loved him.

Celebration of Life Visitation
2-5 PM Sunday, March 27


Schoedinger Northwest Chapel
1740 Zollinger Road
Upper Arlington, OH 43221

Add to Your Calendar

Celebration Service
11 AM Monday, March 28


Schoedinger Northwest Chapel
1740 Zollinger Road
Upper Arlington, OH 43221

Add to Your Calendar

In lieu of flowers, please donate in John’s memory to the Upper Arlington Education Foundation.
To share memories or condolences,
please visit www.schoedinger.com.

"You never know when you're making a memory!"

John Kost

"You never know when you're making a memory!"

Harold Kost

“We met John 30 years ago which started a decade’s long friendship. In the last few years, we started our version of a Sunday night dinner. On many a Sunday, we would meet up to discuss cars, politics, current events, home projects but almost always real estate. Inevitably, the hours would fly by and we’d need to leave the restaurant, where we would often spend another 20 minutes in the parking lot going over one more story. These dinners were a great way to better get to know both John and Glen.
If you ever received John’s Christmas Newsletter, you’ll know he always ended them the same way with a quote from his father: “My late Father, Harold, used to say, ‘You never know when you’re making a memory.’ He was right.” So glad we got to create so many memories together.
We’ll miss you buddy.”

John & Dennis

“John was such a wonderful man. I am so sad that he has passed. We belonged to the same car club and shared a passion for cars and also real estate. He was so much fun and always had many great stories to tell, be it about cars, his childhood years, some interesting home he was representing etc. – it didn’t matter you just couldn’t help but get taken in by his warm and fun personality. I remember a dinner we had this past fall in Saugatuck MI with John, Glen and my friend Jim and a few others – the entire evening he had us laughing and on the ride back to the hotel in his car I can’t even remember what we were talking about but he had Jim and I laughing so much we were in tears. It really made the trip for us – and that is how John was – you always felt welcome, knew you were in for a fun time and that there would be plenty of laughs. I will forever be thankful for his friendship and the memories I have of him and our times together.”

Mark W. Smith

“I am incredibly saddened by John’s passing. I knew him initially through the car club that others who’ve posted referenced, and going to events with the club were always made more jovial by John’s presence. He always had the absolute BEST jokes to tell, along with some phenomenal stories. He also had an amazing knack for learning about and remembering details of his friends and acquaintances – for example, he remembered how much my former partner & I love MCM homes and whenever one came on the market in UA, he let us know about it and even gave us advanced showings. I always LOVED running into John at local car events because I knew I’d walk away from the conversation with a grin on my face and a handful of new jokes to tell. Keeping Glenn and all who loved John close in my heart at this difficult time.“

Jim Wagner

“John’s kindness, generous spirit and thorough knowledge of homes & classic cars was epic.
He was a real friend, always happy to help.”

Elizabeth Putnam

“It is with a sad and broken heart that I learn of Jon’s passing. I haven’t known a better humanitarian, one with such a warm heart and a wit to cheer everyone. I’ll miss you my Friend. My heart also goes out to Glenn and the rest of his Family.”

Pete Kengeter

“John was one of the most positive people I know. He and I spent many hours looking for a house after I needed to sell mine. He was a wealth of information, not to mention making house hunting fun. Every trip was in a different classic car and I enjoyed every minute. He will be missed by many.”

Marty Marlatt 

“John had great stories… He would start a story and then would just laugh and laugh. Often, John couldn’t finish his story. Those around my dining room table would laugh along with him. He was always a star at my dinners. John was busy keeping all of us entertained. I loved that about him… I will miss him. Rest easy, John. Until we meet again…”

Diane Kroll

“You were one of a kind John. A great advisor, a real gentleman, a consummate professional, and a true Renaissance man! Rest in peace.”

Peter Nichols

John, playing “Misty” on his grand piano.

Thank you John, for making so many wonderful memories with everyone you knew!

Please take a moment to share your favorite memory of John so we can add yours to the growing list from friends who remember him with such fondness.